Living in the Lou: Des Peres is all about Location, Location, Location

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As a nine-year resident of Des Peres, I have to admit I’m totally spoiled by the convenience of everything. The community has so much to offer but is also centrally located in the St. Louis suburban area. Des Peres is located in two different public school districts, both exceptionally rated. West County Mall and many other businesses help keep taxes down while the community still has a very friendly and neighborly feel. We love Des Peres and can’t imagine raising our kids anywhere else. 

 

parks and kids activities banner for Wildwood, Missouri

 

When our kids were little, we used to load up the stroller and head out on long walks, always stopping at least at one playground along our route. Des Peres has many wonderful parks to offer.

 

A stone sign at a park entrance for Des Peres Park

 

Des Peres Park 

Des Peres park is a large community park surrounded by a running trail, with a lake to fish, brand new tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, picnic tables, bathrooms, a sprinkler, and a big and small playground. There is plenty of green space as well. This park is definitely a favorite but can get busy.

 

Harwood Park

Harwood Park is a hidden gem neighborhood park. There are two wonderful playgrounds (the smaller one has the perfect surface for crawlers or new walkers) and a picnic pavilion. There are no bathrooms at this park.

 

Sugar Creek Park

Sugar Creek Park is a great little park. We like to stop there when going to or from The Museum of Transportation as it’s very close.  There’s a flat loop for kids to ride bikes, a field for soccer and baseball, and a small playground with swings and climbing structures. My boys love to play “the floor is lava” here. There are restrooms at this park. 

 

a young girl sliding down a curvy slide at a park

 

Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is a sweet little park tucked into a neighborhood off of Manchester Road. The park has tennis courts and a basketball court. There are also fields for baseball and soccer. There’s a small concrete sidewalk around the park, a picnic pavilion, a centrally located playground, and a sprinkler. This park is a favorite of many!  

 

cultural and annual events banner for Wildwood, Missouri

 

Summer concert series 

Each summer Des Peres hosts music once a month (June, July, and August) at Des Peres Park. Each concert is a fun night of picnicking and listening to wonderful local music. This is a family-friendly affair.

 

 

Aside from the large West County mall, Des Peres has several local stores. My two favorites are Paper Dolls for great women’s clothing and Cats Meow for darling gifts for all occasions.

 

 

Des Peres is also home to Schnucks, Dierbergs, Aldi, and (my favorite) Trader Joes for a great variety of grocery shopping options. 

 

restaurants banner for Wildwood, Missouri

 

Restaurants are plentiful in Des Peres.

 

First Watch, Sunny Street Cafe, and Daily Bread are great breakfast and lunch spots. Daily Bread is locally owned and a perfect spot to meet a friend for a coffee and breakfast or soup and a sandwich. 

 

Circle 7, 3 Kings, and The Village Bar are excellent for lunch or dinner. Circle 7 and 3 Kings offer a unique take on bar food, while The Village Bar offers more dive bar greasy food. All three have a patio and are also great for meeting a friend for a drink. 

 

 

In addition to these, there are also restaurants at the mall, several pizza places, Chinese restaurants, and fast food places, including the all-time favorite Chick Fil A and local favorite Lions Choice.

 

 

One thing I love about Des Peres is the plentiful workout options in such a small area. Within a one-mile radius, you will find F45 and 9 Round to meet your High-Intensity Interval Training needs. You will find Pure Barre and Barre 3 for barre workout options. SPENGA offers spinning, yoga, and strength workouts. Finally, Yoga 6 and Prana Yoga offer a variety of yoga class options. I feel extremely lucky to live so close to all of these phenomenal options. 

 

 

The Lodge may be one of the greatest benefits of being a Des Peres resident (although non-residents can also use it). We are members of The Lodge and use it as a workout facility, swimming pool, and family recreation space. We have also taken swim lessons and played sports through the Lodge. They offer many events throughout the year as well. It truly is an excellent addition to the community. 
 
 
 
While I have focused much of my attention on the privilege of living in Des Peres, it is also a great place to visit. Come to Des Peres, play in the park, and then take your family out for a delicious lunch or dinner. Try a workout class and grab breakfast afterward. Meet a friend for a drink and check out the darling clothes at Paperdolls Boutique. Des Peres is conveniently located off of 270, so make sure you come visit to see all that this great community has to offer. 
 
 
 
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Katie Mueth
Katie is a Des Peres mom of two young boys, Trace (2014) and Henry (2016). Katie stays home with her boys most of the time but also spends a bit of time away as a high school lacrosse coach. Katie enjoys connecting with other moms to run, meet at parks, explore new restaurants, listen to live music and discuss books. Katie and her boys can be found enjoying many activities around St. Louis including the Science Center, Zoo, Magic House, Museum of Transportation, Urban Fort and Frisco Train Store, but what they enjoy most is just being outdoors. They have tried many of the parks around St. Louis City and county and also love hiking trails at Laumeier Sculpture Park, Powder Valley and Shaw Nature Reserve. Katie and her family love all that St. Louis has to offer for families of young children and can most often be found taking advantage of all of the many opportunities.